Racial Battle Fatigue in a Diverse Society
Dr. Sherritta Hughes and Dr. Don Trahan Jr
Race-Based Trauma (RBT), defined as ones exposure to racism that causes emotional stress, physical harm, and/or fear (Bryant-Davis, 2007; Bryant-Davis & Ocampo, 2005), is noted as having a profound impact on the mental health of African Americans in the United States. In contemporary society, the racialized experiences of Blacks (e.g., multiple forms of injustices, strategically and systematic police killings) and seeing inhuman imagery on a host of outlets (e.g., face-to-face, videotape, social media) has pierced the consciousness of African Americans alike, increasing the likelihood for RBT. In situations where RBT is experienced, one may present as overwhelmed, noted by their inability to employ effective coping strategies (Bryant-Davis, 2007).
Individuals who present with RBT may exhibit negative symptomology such as depression, increased use of alcohol consumption, poor self-concept, health complications, and decreased self-esteem (Bryant-Davis, 2007; Bryant-Davis & Ocampo, 2005; Karlsen & Nazroo, 2002). Moreover, individuals exposed to racially traumatic events may experience posttraumatic symptomology similar to survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. As a result, movements such as Black Lives Matter has emerged in order to advocate on behalf of and call attention to the injustices facing Blacks in America, namely the denial of their civil rights.
This workshop will address the following:
The outcomes from this workshop will educate and inform participants with fundamentals to assist individuals in the African American and other marginalized communities who present with RBT.
The workshop will support all races, genders, ages and sexual orientation to identify their own resiliency factors that will help individuals to develop as a whole: self-identity, empowerment, and positive self-image of oneself.
Individuals who present with RBT may exhibit negative symptomology such as depression, increased use of alcohol consumption, poor self-concept, health complications, and decreased self-esteem (Bryant-Davis, 2007; Bryant-Davis & Ocampo, 2005; Karlsen & Nazroo, 2002). Moreover, individuals exposed to racially traumatic events may experience posttraumatic symptomology similar to survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. As a result, movements such as Black Lives Matter has emerged in order to advocate on behalf of and call attention to the injustices facing Blacks in America, namely the denial of their civil rights.
This workshop will address the following:
- RBT caused by the killings of unarmed Black men by the police, racism leading the African Americans humanity being viewed as “other”, policing, criminality and racial profiling, social justice, personal and cultural values, understanding Black identity in America.
- The workshop will assess a case vignette of an African American male in psychotherapy who experiences RBT following being racially profiled by the police. This vignette will illuminate implications for psychotherapeutic work with individuals affected by RBT and/or “living while Black.”
- Lastly, identifying the importance of resilience factors in the African American community, and the importance to foster positive outcomes through resilience and further support identity within a racial identity context.
The outcomes from this workshop will educate and inform participants with fundamentals to assist individuals in the African American and other marginalized communities who present with RBT.
The workshop will support all races, genders, ages and sexual orientation to identify their own resiliency factors that will help individuals to develop as a whole: self-identity, empowerment, and positive self-image of oneself.